Seems like the 360 is a stinker.

[Mikeus Caesar]

Then there is the PSP... blech

The PSP isn't terrible, i have quite a few friends who own one and don't regret, but i don't recall them ever using it to play games. Mainly use it as a glorified MP3 player.

[Fragony]

PSP is a terrific handheld, shame you can't really use it as a handheld because of the battery's. But unlike the popular misconception the PSP has loads of great games. It's a portable ps2, awesome. It has a great screen, and fantastic sound. If you want only one handheld go for the DS, but the PSP sure ain't a stinker.

[Marius Dynamite]

Once, years ago when the Pentium II was current. It overheated repeatly because the [nastiest words you know] who fitted the processor didn't put a heatsink or fan on it. He also stuck in a celeron instead of my nice Pentium II.

Usually every year, around summer. A fresh coating of thermal grease and the removal of dust in the fans keeps everything in working order for me.

I've told that story before but I fried a brand new Athlon 1400 because I forgot to remove the plastic cover under the cooler....didn't even get into the BIOS.
(yeah, it's funny now, was quite the investment back then )
Apart from that, no.

It a relief to know my PC is not the only one. I've had non-stop problems with my computer, which is about 2.5 - 3 years old now. The first year it must have broke down 4 times with 4 new fans being put in, then 4 new disk drives, twice because the lazer buggered up and twice because the heat cracked a disk and it exploded inside the drive, and you can guess what disk it was, thats right, Rome:Total war then Rome:Total War Eras both RIP so Im now on my third RomeTW.

Basically the computer cloggs with dust which heats it up and breaks the fan, which gets as loud as a hoover (or vacuum cleaner) because it works so hard to keep it cool. Only after 4 new fans did someone notice the switch which makes the fan 'work better' when the drives heat up was off.

So anyway now we clean it every 3-4 weeks whenever it starts to get loud.

[Zatoichi]

Wow! That's some real bad luck!

I guess I've been real lucky, I've had pretty much 25 years with no over heating issues with any PC or consoles!

I guess living in cold old England has some advantages after all!

[Kekvit Irae]

Discussion of PC overheating can be continued over here: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=132

[Lemur]

The proof is in the pudding. Or rather, the financial statements.

Red ring of Xbox death costs Microsoft $1bn

Hot money hole

By Gavin Clarke in San Francisco → More by this author
Published Friday 6th July 2007 00:49 GMT

Microsoft is taking a $1bn hit to fix Xbox 360s, conceding residual hardware faults in its games console are causing users frustration and an "unacceptable number of repairs."

The software giant said Thursday it's extending the Xbox 360's current one-year warranty to three years from date of purchase to cover a hardware crash that generates a trio of red warning lights, branded "the red ring of death." Microsoft is also reimbursing customers who've previously paid for repairs.

[Papewaio]

I wonder which colour will become MS next of death.

Blue Screen of Death.
Red Ring of Death.
Yellow Triangle of Death?

[lars573]

The proof is in the pudding. Or rather, the financial statements.

Red ring of Xbox death costs Microsoft $1bn

Hot money hole

By Gavin Clarke in San Francisco → More by this author
Published Friday 6th July 2007 00:49 GMT

Microsoft is taking a $1bn hit to fix Xbox 360s, conceding residual hardware faults in its games console are causing users frustration and an "unacceptable number of repairs."

The software giant said Thursday it's extending the Xbox 360's current one-year warranty to three years from date of purchase to cover a hardware crash that generates a trio of red warning lights, branded "the red ring of death." Microsoft is also reimbursing customers who've previously paid for repairs.

This is why I like M$. Sony would just tell you "up yours buy a new one sucker!"

[frogbeastegg]

The 360's warranty has been extended to 3 years. Those who have paid for repairs will have their money refunded. link.

Not as good as a more reliable console, but better than a kick to the teeth, which was what IMO Microsoft was offering before.

[Kekvit Irae]

The 360's warranty has been extended to 3 years. Those who have paid for repairs will have their money refunded. link.

Not as good as a more reliable console, but better than a kick to the teeth, which was what IMO Microsoft was offering before.

The proof is in the pudding. Or rather, the financial statements.

Red ring of Xbox death costs Microsoft $1bn

Hot money hole

By Gavin Clarke in San Francisco → More by this author
Published Friday 6th July 2007 00:49 GMT

Microsoft is taking a $1bn hit to fix Xbox 360s, conceding residual hardware faults in its games console are causing users frustration and an "unacceptable number of repairs."

The software giant said Thursday it's extending the Xbox 360's current one-year warranty to three years from date of purchase to cover a hardware crash that generates a trio of red warning lights, branded "the red ring of death." Microsoft is also reimbursing customers who've previously paid for repairs.

[frogbeastegg]

Slowpoke!

The scary thing is I did actually read that bit. More than once. :worries about losing her mind:

[Leet Eriksson]

owning all 3 consoles, i have never had any problems with them as of yet.

I also suggest against trading your 360 for a ps3, its not like the PS3 has any remarkable games on shelves right now, might wanna wait a bit before you do that.

[Kekvit Irae]

I also suggest against trading your 360 for a ps3, its not like the PS3 has any remarkable games on shelves right now, might wanna wait a bit before you do that.

I second this. Except for Resistance: Fall Of Man and Virtua Fighter 5, there are no great (or even remotely good) games for the 600 dollar Blu-Ray player. Hopefully the upcoming releases such as Lair will change that.

[Bob the Insane]

Well, if my 360 starts acting up at least I know it should be fixed for free now (or near enough)... Still annoying though if it should happen...

Continuing the whole consoles debate, what does everyone make of this new article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/techn...24355620070710

[edyzmedieval]

I would buy Xbox 360 just for CoD3. Sadly, I lack the cash.

[doc_bean]

Well, if my 360 starts acting up at least I know it should be fixed for free now (or near enough)... Still annoying though if it should happen...

Continuing the whole consoles debate, what does everyone make of this new article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/techn...24355620070710

Metal Gear Solid leaving the PS3 ? That would leave FF as the sole exclusive 'sure big thing' franchise wouldn't it ? Ouch.

[Kekvit Irae]

Seeing as how bad the PS3 is, and how little it sold, I wouldn't blame Kojima to find more profitable ventures for their Metal Gear franchise. There are a LOT more 300 dollar 360s out in consumer homes than there are 500-600 dollar PS3s. Sadly, if MGS4 was PS3's launch title along with Resistance, we would be seeing a lot more of the Black Doorstops in peoples' homes.

[Lemur]

I don't see the rush to jump onto any of these platforms. Why not wait for 2.0 hardware and bargain-bin diving? Seems like the time is just about right to buy into the PS2 ...

[Marius Dynamite]

I don't see the rush to jump onto any of these platforms. Why not wait for 2.0 hardware and bargain-bin diving? Seems like the time is just about right to buy into the PS2 ...

you're kidding, right?

[Kekvit Irae]

you're kidding, right?

Think about it... good games are still being produced for the PS2 (God of War II), the console is extremely cheap now compared to the next-gen consoles, and there are a LOT of great games for the it.

[Lemur]

you're kidding, right?

What, do I need to paste in some smilies just to be clear?

[doc_bean]

Hey I bought a ps2 about half a year ago, great games for 20€ on a cheap console.

I'm not paying 60€ or more for a game unless the standards go way up...

[Fragony]

owning all 3 consoles, i have never had any problems with them as of yet.

I also suggest against trading your 360 for a ps3, its not like the PS3 has any remarkable games on shelves right now, might wanna wait a bit before you do that.

Oh aren't you the Pasha

Not worried about the PS3, it has few games but in a year or two the 360 is a poor man's pc and the PS3 a real console. Going to wait for the price to drop, PS3 gets almost every game that's released on the 360 and has a few exclusives of it's own, and it's a much better looking machine, and most importantly it's silent and it stays cool. 360 is such an ugly machine, need some looks next to my way to awesome beovision.

[Fragony]

Ahum!! Killzone 2 trailer. Unbelievable.

http://www.gamert.nl/specials/e3_kil..._trailert.html

[Lemur]

Newsweek has the best line of the week on the Xbox reliability issue:

It took Microsoft months to acknowledge the scope of the problem, long after afflicted Xbox 360 owners were already complaining loudly, attempting to identify the issue, and desperately inventing homegrown remedies. So to finally have Microsoft admit that, yes, there is a problem, is much like a wife who's found lipstick on her husband's collar; strange numbers in his mobile phone; and unspecified charges on his credit card. When he finally admits that, yes, he has been cheating, she's going to feel relieved that, thank god, she isn't crazy. But to simply have that acknowledged, accompanied by a bouquet of flowers, some chocolates and a promise never to stray again, is unlikely to restore said wife's trust. Microsoft needs to issue a full and frank accounting of what took place rather than the modified limited hangout wrapped in an extravagant display of remorse that we've seen thus far.

[frogbeastegg]

First decent details on the revised 360 with the 65nm chip. Fingers crossed this will address the problems with the console in a more lasting form than an endless stream of free repairs.


MGS going multiplatform doesn't surprise me. MGS2 had an xbox version. These are blockbuster titles which cost a fortune to make; the wider the potential audience the more chance of making the money back. The PS2 might have the user base to support titles like MGS3 as exclusives; the PS3 is no where near close to it. MGS4 will cost more to make than the earlier games, too.

I'm rather counting on most games going multiplatform. Then if Sony continue to insult European gamers I can buy the (fingers crossed) cooler, quieter and more reliable revised 360 instead. Alternatively Microsoft don’t do enough to make the 360 appeal to me and Sony pull their head out of their unmentionables, meaning I buy the sanely re-priced PS3 when it has a stack of good games.


IMO the PS2 is the console right now. It's the one with the games, it's affordable, it's widely supported, it still has many new titles coming out. The hardware is mature, meaning it's reliable. Developers are now very familiar with it, and are still turning out stunning results. You don't need to buy a HD TV to get the best results out of it. System updates? Non-existent and not needed. It has the games too; that being the most important point it deserves to be said twice. There’s something for everyone on the PS2, and it’s very easy to build up a great collection.

[Fragony]

IMO the PS2 is the console right now.

Agreed. Not only does it have loads of cheap, and oh so excellent games, it's also one hell of a sexylooking little machine. Can't stop loving the little darling despite the the thing having some *ahum* hardware-issues or two (well 4)

[Marius Dynamite]

I have an Xbox 360, my brother still has his PS2. We both play Call of Duty 3, Pro Evolution 6 and Spiderman 3 on our respective consoles. Walking between my room and his to see the difference, I notice an enormous difference in game quality. That includes Graphics, online experience, and in Spiderman 3's case, game scale.

The one thing in the PS2's favour is Pro Evo 6, which was clearly very poorly done on 360 compared to PS2. I am thinking it will be better this year on 360 though.

As for prices, personally I don't buy many games, usually I buy the one that looks best at the time and has a good online experience so I get plenty of replay value. I do still play as many games as I did and would on PS2 but instead, I swap games or just get a loan of games of my friends for a week or 2 and swap back when its no longer fun. Much cheaper than 20 euro every week because PS2 games get so old, so fast

[doc_bean]

Much cheaper than 20 euro every week because PS2 games get so old, so fast

A game a week ? Get out more

[Marius Dynamite]

A game a week ? Get out more

Even Mighty Marius can't afford a 20 euro game a week but it takes Marius at most a week to extracts everything from a PS2 game. 5 Games a year on 360 does Marius fine